The cast of Derby’s pantomime, Peter Pan, are getting behind a city-wide initiative to encourage children to improve their speech, language and communication skills.
Children who grow up to be confident communicators have more opportunities in life, and TALK Derby aims to give their parents and carers the skills to help them reach their full potential.
A pantomime is one place where children are definitely not encouraged to keep quiet – shout-outs and audience responses are a great tradition and all part of the fun. So the cast of Peter Pan, currently playing at Derby Arena, are backing the campaign.
Morgan Brind from Little Wolf Entertainment is the show’s writer, co-producer, and plays the hilarious Dame Hilda. He creates engaging dialogue, rhymes and puns, and helps bring them to life onstage.
For many children, a panto is their first experience of theatre, and it’s magical. One of the best things is how it brings families together and everyone can join in, whatever their age. Children learn from their elders so if the adults are shouting ‘Oh no it isn’t,’ they’re going to join in too. There is no such thing as an audience that is too loud. Who knows where it could lead? Perhaps one day their families will come back to watch them on stage because they’ve developed the confidence to get up there.
Kate Freeman, Programme Director for TALK Derby, said:
TALK Derby welcomes the support of the cast of Peter Pan on this important programme. We know that children really benefit from the opportunity to talk about what they have seen and done – going to the pantomime is an exciting trip for the whole family.
People of Derby are being encouraged to make a commitment to spend more time talking and listening to the children in their life by taking the TALK Derby pledge.
Peter Pan runs at Derby Arena until Saturday 4 January. Tickets start from £14.75 and are available from Derby LIVE on 01332 258000, online, or in person at the Sales and Information Centre, Riverside Chambers, Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF.